Islam's Religious Pluralism in Context

Abstract

The current debate in Malaysia as to whether Islam accepts religious pluralism as opposed to mere religious plurality calls for  further reflection. Much would depend, it seems, on how one  understands religious pluralism and then the three quranic verses  that characterise Islam.

These proclaim that “surely the religion before Allah is Islam (submission to His will)” (3:19); that “whoever seeks other than Islam as a religion, it will not be accepted from him” (3:85); and “this day I perfected your religion for you, completed My favour to you, and chose Islam to be your faith” (5:3). These are often cited as evidence that Islam is the only true religion and only those who follow Islam shall be saved. Mainstream Quran commentaries consider Islam in these verses to be the exclusive name for the religion revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.